McDonald’s is facing a lawsuit over its iconic McRib sandwich for allegedly misleading marketing. The fast-food giant has, however, denied the claims, sparking a debate over food labeling and transparency. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the situation, outlining the key points surrounding the lawsuit.
McDonald’s reportedly faces lawsuit over McRib marketing
McDonald’s is reportedly facing a new class-action lawsuit over its McRib sandwich. A new lawsuit landed in an Illinois federal court on December 23, 2025, accusing the fast food chain of cleverly duping customers with the iconic name and shape, allegedly disguising the true nature of its patty.
According to the lawsuit, McRib’s rib-like shape is a deliberate attempt to trick customers into thinking they’re getting a premium rib meat sandwich. The four plaintiffs claim the sandwich is designed to resemble a rack of pork ribs. However, the sandwich does not contain any meaningful quantity of actual pork rib meat. (via complex.com)
“The name ‘McRib’ is a deliberate sleight of hand,” the lawsuit reads. “By including the word ‘Rib’ in the name of the sandwich, McDonald’s knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable consumers, who reasonably (but mistakenly) believe that a product named the ‘McRib’ will include at least some meaningful quantity of actual pork rib meat, which commands a premium price on the market.”
The lawsuit not only challenges McDonald’s marketing tactics but also defines what constitutes “actual pork rib meat”. It calls the McRib a “reconstructed meat product” made from inferior cuts, rather than genuine rib meat. Pork rib meat, as mentioned in the suit, refers to either the spare ribs or the baby back ribs.
McDonald’s has negated the lawsuit’s claims, calling them “meritless”. “Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S.—there are no hearts, tripe, or scalded stomach used in the McRib patty as falsely alleged in this lawsuit,” the statement to Fast Company reads. “We’ve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for themselves.”
The plaintiffs’ lawyers are seeking damages, attorney fees, and interest for affected customers. They also want McDonald’s to stop using deceptive marketing tactics for the McRib.
